Zoroastrianism, a native religion of Iran, associates some stars with angels called the yaazatas, who include Satavaesa, Vanant, and Tishtrya. The latter angel, who is associated with Sirius — the Dog Star — occupies an important place in the Zoroastrian faith because he controls the world’s water, believed to be contained in the mythical sea of Vourukasha.
The myth of Tishtrya recounts that he fought the Zoroastrian water demon Apaosa over the period from the rising of the star Sirius until his final fall triumph against the demon. He prepared for battle for thirty days, covering the time from the July rising of Sirius to the late summer/early fall. He would then lose a three-day battle, but eventually triumph over the demon, with additional worship and sacrifice from men on earth to release the waters of Vourukasha. That coincided with the fall rains in Iran, which were dispersed with the help of another star angel – Satavaesa. Thus, in Zoroastrian Iran, without stars, there was no water. Without water, there was no life.
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Zoroastrian astral beliefs have been preserved in the modern Iranian calendar. The fourth Iranian month is called Tir, a contraction of the deity’s name, and which corresponds to June 21-July 21. The rising of Sirius is the hottest time of the year, so it is no coincidence that the story of Tishtrya called for men to make many sacrifices to him, so he could have the strength to fight Apaosa and give the earth some rain.
